The European Union is trying to gradually close all issues in the region by the time of holding the European elections next year, analysts say. It is in this context that they see the coming visit of Catherine Ashton, EU High Representatives for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to Skopje next week, Dnevnik reports.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki confirmed Thursday Ashton’s visit to Macedonia, saying this was part of the regular communication between Macedonia and the European Commission.

“It is normal communication with the EC following the latest round of the High Level Accession Dialogue. Ashton is focused on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina yet I do not believe that that her visit is in any way connected to the process we conduct under UN auspices for resolution of the name issue with Greece,” Minister Poposki said.